The Swarm: Decreasing Gratuitous Mobile Interaction by Increasing Digital Content

Abstract

A series of internationally patent protected mobile phone prototypes called The Swarm have been developed in response to the user needs identified in a three-year empirical study of young people’s use of mobile phones. The prototypes take cues from user led innovation and provide multiple avatars that allow individuals to define and manage their own virtual identity. This paper briefly maps the evolution of the prototypes and then describes how the pre-defined, color coded avatars in the latest version are being given greater context and personalization through the use of digital images. This not only gives serendipity a nudge by allowing groups to come together more easily, it provides contextual information that can reduce gratuitous contact.